Toronto seething over SARS warning

April 25, 2003

TORONTO, CANADA — Canada's largest city awoke as a travel pariah Thursday, after the World Health Organization warned that people should avoid unnecessary trips to Toronto--and Beijing--because of an outbreak of SARS.

The disease claimed its 16th victim in Canada--a 78-year old woman who had a pre-existing medical condition--and Toronto businesses braced for disaster.

The City Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday after Mayor Mel Lastman criticized the WHO decision.

"I've never been angrier in my life," Lastman said. "I'm shocked. The medical evidence before us does not support this advisory."

Globally, more than 260 people have died of the virus, and about 4,400 have been infected--roughly half of those in China.